Exotic Rides: Ariel Atom

No matter how much we rationalize it, every sports car purchase represents a compromise. Where reasons of logic fall short, the emotional factor comes in to fill the void.

Enter the Ariel Atom 3. The English sensation has crossed over, and for our market it is assembled mostly by Brammo Motorsports in Oregon. Even when it’s all put together, you might wonder if critical pieces are still missing, based on appearances. It’s been described as a two-seat Formula car by some, a four-wheeled motorcycle by others. There’s really no bodywork, per se — just a tubular skeleton and a lot of power. “Four f'ing wheels and a seat,” as Steve Martin said in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Suffice it to say, the line between logic and coolness has become very, very skewed.

Just barely street legal, but far from civilized, how does the Ariel Atom 3 perform in the encompassing categories of luxury and practicality? Time to rate it on those factors, relative to its class.

The luxury ride

If he were still with us, Colin Chapman would be proud. Even though this isn’t a Lotus 7, the Atom 3 is remarkably lightweight at a tick under 1,400 pounds. With that mass, anything beefier than a lawnmower motor will get you moving. Moving you from 0 to 60 mph in about three seconds is a task better left to the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, Honda i-VTEC engine, with 245 to 300 horsepower available (with the supercharger upgrade option), mated to a Honda six-speed manual. That specification is just a matter of size, both of your wallet and your walnuts.

The Ariel Atom 3 is no ride for sloppy amateurs, and any forward progress measured on the simple analog speedo feels twice as fast in your mind. To complement the neck-snapping acceleration, either transmission is quick and precise. Not that you’ll be shifting much. The torque with any engine configuration is more than generous, though it’s fun to practice heel-and-toe downshifting. Manual steering and braking leaves little to be desired in terms of feel and feedback, but fussy customers can always have Brammo dial in these and other adjustments to personal taste. Thanks to the adjustable suspension, handling is world-class and even takes practice. Twitch a finger and you’ll jump laterally into the next lane before you know it.

If you can keep your keister out of the driver’s seat long enough to admire the Atom 3 from the outside, you’ll immediately appreciate the single-minded purpose of the car. Molded composite panels drape the nose, wheels and intake — and that’s about it. What remains exposed is nearly everything mechanical; engine, suspension and most definitely the cockpit.

Step into the cockpit, literally, and you’ll find it’s snug, but not unbearable. The single-piece contoured seat for two is more comfortable than you’d imagine, but Recaro buckets are optional. Both the four- and six-point seat belt configurations do a fine job of immobilizing your torso, which is probably a good idea in a car capable of 1.08 Gs on the skidpad. Ahead of you is the quick-release wheel, and there’s a bare-bones dash with speedo, tach warning lights and a few switches.

The verdict

The Ariel Atom 3 should strike fear into anything it approaches on the track. Top speed may only be in the 150-mph range, but if conditions allow, getting there is a snap. This car isn't luxurious in the BMW, Merc or Audi sort of way — far from it. What the Atom 3 lacks in luxurious creature comforts it more than makes up for in luxurious thrills and adrenaline-rushing excitement behind the wheel. Remember the ultimate driving experience you’ve imagined since you were a kid? This could very well be the embodiment of that exact dream.